Thursday, October 11, 2007

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – The Bosnian Presidency members met with a delegation of the Iranian Parliament led by the Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel in Sarajevo yesterday.

The Bosnian Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic informed the Iranian delegation about the readiness of the Bosnian Presidency to improve bilateral relations between Bosnia and Iran, an issue Komsic also discussed with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahadinejad at meeting of the UN General Assembly held recently in New York.

The two sides agreed that there is a particular need for improving relations in the fields of economy, culture and education.

They stated that the visit by the Iranian delegation is an expression of true friendship and close relations between the two countries and that there is a cultural bond between the two nations, which represents a good basis for the development of relations and cooperation in all fields.

Good cooperation between the two parliaments is a preconditions and an important segment in the development of foreign policies of Bosnia and Iran, while the potentials of the two countries could be well used and held the development of economic cooperation, was stated at the meeting yesterday.

The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament said that he is privileged to be the first Speaker of the Iranian Parliament to visit Bosnia. He reiterated support for BiH and its fulfilment of conditions for EU membership.

The Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic said that EU membership represents a strategic objective of Bosnia, but that this depends on success Bosnia achieves in the implementation of ongoing reforms.

The Bosnian Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic expressed hope and a wish that the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will serve as a sign that the countries of the region can cooperate and that they will develop good relations.

Bosnian Presidency member Haris Silajdzic expressed pleasure that the countries of the region meet and Bosnian Presidency member Nebojsa Radmanovic stated that regional cooperation and bilateral contacts are of an outstanding significance. He emphasized that the Bosnian Presidency will contribute all the activities.

Stability Pact Special Coordinator Erhard Busek stated that opening of the RCC headquarters is an achievement and the expressed pleasure over the fact that the headquarters are situated in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

”Countries of the region are now taking over responsibility of passing their own decisions. It is important to keep the regional cooperation alive in order to come closer to the EU and NATO”, Busek said.

RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic stated that the fact Sarajevo was made RCC headquarters is a positive signal for the entire region.

”Countries of the Southeastern Europe are facing a serious stage and we are now facing enormous challenges. Political elite of all the countries is responsible of creating all the conditions for moving ahead. Goals are identical – entering the EU”, Biscevic said.

Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic emphasized that Croatia contributed Sarajevo to be made the city headquarters of the RCC.

She added that the SEECP and the RCC are the instruments for all the countries aiming to become the EU and NATO members to develop cooperation and friendship.

Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ljubomir Kjucukov stated that Bulgaria has been supporting the regional cooperation initiative. He added that the Euro – Atlantic integrations mean stability, safety, investments and that only through joint efforts those countries can become members of the “great European family”.

The Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic once again emphasized support of the Bosnian Presidency to the Regional Cooperation Council.

During the two-day visit, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Gholam Ali Haddad Adel and his associate will meet the representatives of the Bosnian legislative and executive authorities.

Their first official meeting took place yesterday with the members of the Bosnian Parliament’s House of Peoples’ Collegium.

It is necessary to advance economic cooperation and interparliamentary relations between Bosnia and Iran. Contacts at all levels of authority will benefit the improvement of relations in the sector. This was the conclusion of the first working session held yesterday in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo between the Bosnian Parliament’s House of Peoples Speaker Ilija Filipovic and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Gholam Ali Haddad Adel.

As stated, economic cooperation should be accompanied by the good relations between the two countries and should offer possibilities to Iranian business delegations to get acquainted with the Bosnian economic situation. In that sense, Bosnian companies should come back to the Iranian market.

Speaker Filipovic expressed pleasure over the visit of Iranian parliamentary delegation. He said that forming the parliamentary groups of friendship will contribute the improvement of relations between the two countries.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) - An official delegation of the Police Presidium of the Ministry of Interior of Slovakia, led by Colonel Jan Biz, is visiting Bosnia from 08 to 12 October.

“This is an opportunity to pay a visit to the six members of our contingent and their line managers,” said Colonel Jan Biz. “Our meeting with Ari Sarjanen, EUPM’s Deputy Head of Mission, was very positive. He gave us very good feedback about our contingent’s work and our preliminary decision is to extend our contribution to the European Union Police Mission is European Union's mission in Bosnia (EUPM).”

The three Slovak officials travelled to Bosnia with a new member of the contingent, Elena Benkova, who will join the Regional Office in Sarajevo, and are looking forward to sending new staff members to the mission.

Juraj Smolek, EUPM’s Chief Adviser for the Banja Luka Region and Chief of the Slovak contingent was also very happy about the visit: “Back in 2002, I was actually the first Slovak police officer to be sent to this mission. I am happy to hear that our country will most probably continue to contribute staff to the mission.”

Besides visiting the Main Headquarters in Sarajevo, the Slovak delegation has also paid a visit to their contingent members in Banja Luka, Mostar and Tuzla.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – Acting on a warrant issued by the Bosnian State Prosecutor's Office, agents of the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) arrested Serbian war criminal Predrag Kujundzic early yesterday morning.

According to a statement issued by the Bosnian State Prosecutor's Office, Serbian war criminal Predrag Kujundzic, born on 30 January 1961, was arrested in the Doboj area. He is charged of committing war crimes against Bosnian and Croatian civilians in 1992 and 1993,during the Serbian aggression against Bosnia.

Serbian war criminal was handed over to the competent prosecutor in the War Crimes Chamber of the Bosnian State Court, who will examine him and decide on an eventual motion for a custody order.

Serbian war criminal Predrag Kujundzic's name is associated with the "Predini vukovi" ("Predo's Wolves") ,a genocidal paramilitary formation of the Serbians living in Bosnia. In the past few years Serbian war criminal Predrag Kujundzic has been included in the list of suspected supporters of ICTY fugitive Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic. For that reason, he has been banned from entering EU countries and the US since 2003.

In 2000 the Cantonal Prosecution in Zenica received approval from the ICTY to file an indictment against Serbian war criminal Predrag Kujundzic.

The "Predini vukovi" group is also cited in the ICTY indictment against Serbian war criminal Slobodan Milosevic. In the indictment, this genocidal Serbian paramilitary group was associated with war crimes committed in the Bosnian city of Doboj during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – The Bosnian State Prosecutor's witness Anto Tomic has testified yesterday, via video link, from Germany, where he has been living after leaving Ljubija in Prijedor municipality during the Serbian aggression against Bosnia in the early 1990's.

Tomic has told the Bosnian State Court how the detained Bosnian and Croatian civilians in Omarska and Keraterm concentration camps were tortured by the genocidal Serbian aggressor, but he has also spoken about the participation of the four Serbian war criminals Zeljko Mejakic, Momcilo "Ckalja" Gruban, Dusan Fustar and Dusko "Duca" Knezevic in daily maltreatment of detainees during 1992.

"Duca visited Keraterm frequently," said the witness. "The first time I saw him was when I arrived at the concentration camp. He and one more guard entered room number two and he said: 'Today I shall not beat the ones standing in front, but those standing in the back'.

"Then they went to room number three and also took between 15 and 20 people out. We heard screams and moans, and, later on, we saw some beaten detainees covered with blood and bruises," said Tomic, who was brought to Keraterm by the Serbian aggressor, together with 12 men from Ljubija, on 14 June 1992.

The Bosnian state Prosecutor charges Serbian war criminals Zeljko Mejakic, Momcilo "Ckalja" Gruban, Dusan Fustar and Dusko "Duca" Knezevic, with having participated in rape, murder, beating and torture of Bosnian and Croatian civilians detained by the genocidal Serbian aggressor in Omarska and Keraterm concentration camps.

"Duca was about 35 years old, his height was between 175 and 180 cm. He was a big and strong man. He was dressed in a gray-olive military uniform," Tomic claims.

The indictment alleges that Serbian war criminal Knezevic occasionally visited Keraterm and took part in the beating and maltreatment of detained Bosnian and Croatian civilians.

Witness Tomic has recalled that Serbian war criminals Dusko "Duca" Knezevic and Zoran Zigic beat up Croatian civilian Drago Tokmadzic, who later died from injuries caused by the beating.

"One night Duca, Zigic and a few more guards called Tokmadzic, Esad Islamovic and some other detainees out. Duca and Zigic gave orders to the others, and we could hear them beating these people. And it sounded painful. I have never seen Tokmadzic again," Tomic has said.

In February 2005 the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) sentenced Serbian war criminal Zoran Zigic, known as Ziga, to 25 years imprisonment for crimes committed in these concentration camps.

Tomic has pointed out that Zigic was a guard in Keraterm concentration camp, but he also spent some time detained in room number four "for having released a detainee".

"I remember when we were transferred to room four that we saw his canvas and some other staff. Later on we were told that he was detained in that room for having released one person from the concentration camp," Tomic said.

Tomic claims that Jovo Radocaj was also detained in Keraterm concentration camp, because he "allegedly voted for the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) at the elections".

"I think he was the only Serbian in the camp who was killed for, allegedly, having voted for SDA and Alija Izetbegovic. From a distance I saw his body on a trolley near room four," Tomic claims.

The witness has not been able to confirm the allegations contained in the indictment that Serbian war criminal Dusan Fustar was one of the three guard commanders. The witness has, however, pointed out that Fustar did "have a function".

The witness claims to have been brought, together with 115 detainees, to Omarska concentration camp on 4 July 1992. He allegedly stayed there until 6 August that year. He claims to have seen "detention camp commander" Serbian war criminal Mejakic during his stay.

The indictment alleges that, from 24 May to 30 August 1992, Serbian war criminal Zeljko Mejakic was commander of Omarska concentration camp, in which 3,000 Bosnian and Croatian civilians were detained by the genocidal Serbian aggressor.

Answering defence attorney Dragan Ivetic's questions during cross-examination, the witness has pointed out that a water tank used to come to Keraterm detention camp every day to supply the prisoners with water. He has also said that the detainees were allowed to walk freely within the camp and that some were taken to a hospital to get medical assistance.

Omarska concentration camp was closed at the end of August 1992, following a visit by foreign journalists. Some prisoners were then transferred by the genocidal Serbian aggressor to Manjaca concentration camp, while others were sent to Trnopolje concentration camp. On 6 August Tomic was transferred to Trnoplje concentration camp, which he left on 17 August 1992.

The trial of Serbian war criminals Zeljko Mejakic, Momcilo Gruban, Dusan Fustar and Dusko Knezevic before the Bosnian State Court is due to continue today, when the Bosnian State Prosecutor shall start presenting material evidence.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – Four Defence witnesses have spoken yesterday before the Bosnian State Court about the personality of Serbian war criminal Aleksandar Radovanovic, one of the 11 Serbian war criminals indicted for genocide committed against Bosnians committed during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.

Serbian war criminal Radovanovic's defence attorney Dragan Gotovac has explained that these testimonies are expected to contribute to "shedding light on Radovanovic's humane characteristics".

Radmila Savic, Marko Katanic, Nada Savic and Tankosava Savic have described the same event, which happened at the beginning of May, "most probably on 8 or 9 May", in 1992.

The witnesses live in the village of Lijesce and are all neighbours, close or not so close, of Radovanovic's family. They claim that, at the beginning of May 1992 there was "fighting" and "shooting" in Lijesce village, whose population consisted of Serbians living in Bosnia and Bosnians. According to the witnesses, Serbian war criminal Aleksandar Radovanovic was a policeman at the time.

The village residents gathered at one place in the village when the shooting started. Sejdefa Ljeskovica was among those present. She cried because "her daughter had stayed behind in their house or in the forest".

"Aco, (indictee), risked his life and went with her to find the child. They found the girl and brought her back," Radmila Savic has said. The same story has been repeated by all other witnesses.

The witnesses say that a part of the Bosnian civilians sheltered in the house of Ljubisa Radovanovic, the Serbian war criminal Aleksandar Radovanovic's father, who then transported them by boat to Serbia.

"He is the most honest person in our area," Katanic has said.

The witnesses have known Radovanovic "since he was a little boy" and they can say "nothing but good things" about him.

Tankosava Savic has also described the indictee's goodness: "Whenever he was passing by in his car he would pick someone up, no matter what that person's nationality was".

Asked by the Bosnian State Prosecutor if Radovanovic carried a gun at the beginning of May 1992, Tankosava Savic has responded that she "did not look at the weapons".

Following these testimonies, Judge Hilmo Vucinic has asked the Defence to clarify why they have suggested that four experts' findings be presented and to explain which facts they would like to confirm or deny by those findings.

The opinions of the expert in demography relate to the legal qualification of genocide. In relation to this, the defence has suggested the reading of the transcript of the statement given by Prof. Dr. Svjetlana Radovanovic at the trials, conducted before ICTY, of convicted Serbian war criminals Vidoje Blagojevic (sentenced to 15 years imprisonment) and Dragan Jokic (sentenced to nine years imprisonment).

The construction court expert should explain how the shed in Kravica where 1.000 Bosnian civilians were murdered by the genocidal Serbian aggressor looked like and what construction material was found in mass graves in Glogova and Jadar. The Defence has not specified what findings it expects to get from a court expert in forensic pathology.

The Bosnian State Prosecutor Ibro Buic has reiterated that the Defence should indicate which conclusions made by forensic pathologist Dr. Vedo Tuce, who has already been examined, they consider "suspicious".

"I insist on having the defence teams be serious enough and explain in details what facts they intend to deny or prove by these court experts' findings," the Prosecutor has said.

The trial of 11 Serbian war criminals before the Bosnian State Court is due to continue today,when five more witnesses will be examined.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – Agreement on cofinancing and protection of three Catholic churches in the FBIH entity and the Old Jewish Cemetery in Sarajevo was signed at the FBIH Entity Government headquarters in Sarajevo.

Salko Obhodjas, Minister of Urban Planning, signed the agreement on behalf of the FBIH Entity Government. He said that those monuments are important for Bosnia's cultural heritage and that no funds have been provided for their reconstruction.

The FBIH Entity Government made that step on the basis of the Bosnian state law on Protection of the National Monuments and on the basis of decisions of the department commission. Minister Obhodjas urged the cantonal, municipal and other level authorities to participate in programs of national and cultural heritage protection.

On the basis of the agreement signed, 50.000 Bosnian Marks is to be used for reconstruction of the St. John’s Church in Tarcin, 40.000 Bosnian Marks for the reconstruction of the St. Michael’s Church in Vares and 50.000 Bosnian Marks for the reconstruction of the St. Mary’s Church in Stup.

75.000 Bosnian Marks is to be used for reconstruction of the Old Jewish cemetery in Sarajevo.

Cosignatories are representatives of the Cahtolic Offices of the churches that are to be reconstructed – Pero Tunjic, Ivica Vidak and Ivo Paradzicm, as well as the President of Sarajevo Jewish Community Boris Kozemjakin.

The religious officials thanked the FBIH Entity Government for the donation and told the press that the Vares church is the oldest church in Bosnia and that the church in Tarcin is no older than 70 years, and are both “thriving for a reconstruction”. The Stup church was considerably damaged the 1992-1995 Serbian,Montenegrin and Croatian aggressions against Bosnia. It is about 120 years old and has become a tourist attraction.

Over 1 million Bosnian Marks has been invested into the reconstruction of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Sarajevo.

”The money donated by the FBIH Entity Government is not enough to complete the reconstruction. However, it is a significant donation that may lead others to invest”, Kozemjakin said.

Minister Obhodjac, emphasized that the FBIH Entity Government has already planed to invest more money into the reconstruction of the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Guca Gora Convent near Travnik.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – The Bosnian Defense Minister Selmo Cikotic met in Sarajevo with members of Lithuanian Parliament’s National Safety and Defense Commission. Delegation is lead by Algimantas Matulevicius, President of the Commission.

Cikotic introduced the guests with the status and achievements of Bosnian defense reforms, completion of employment process at the Bosnian Defense Ministry and the Bosnian Army.

He thanked the officials for help Lithuania has provided for the Bosnian Armed Forces and for participation of Lithuanian troops in mission to Bosnia as a part of the Baltic battalion.

Officials also talked about the Bosnia’s participation at the NATO Partnership For Peace Programme (PFP).

Matulevicius emphasized that Bosnia has achieved progress and that Lithuanian side is ready to help Bosnia realize its goals.

He offered expert assistance in all the sectors which are key for association of Bosnia into the EU and NATO. He emphasized that Bosnia’s membership in PFP is a sign that “Bosnia has become an important factor in the Southeastern Europe stability processes”.

Delegation of Lithuanian Government also met with Slavko Pujic, the Bosnian Armed Forces’ Deputy Commander.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – The Bosnian Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Safet Halilovic and Head of the Democracy and social Development Department at the European Commission Delegation to Bosnia Michael Docherty talked in Sarajevo about the project entitled “Monitoring Recommendations of a Functional Overview of the Returnees’ Sector”. The project is about 1 million KM worth and is financed by the EU.

Halilovic supported the project and proposed the activities to be directed towards the Bosnian Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees’ assistance. That means making the ministry an efficient institution which will fully be dedicated to the issues of displaced persons and refugees and human rights protection.Halilovic remarked that the recommendations have not been made concrete enough.

”We want you to help us become an institution which will help the returnees and refugees in the processes of reconstruction of their homes, creating conditions for sustainable return and human rights protection implementation”, Halilovic said.

Docherty stated that the project will focus on the necessities of the Bosnian Ministry for Human Rights and that the cooperation with the Ministry will be close.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – Bosnia's Prime Minister Nikola Spiric met in Sarajevo with the new U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia Charles English. Spiric emphasized the need of promotion of reform processes which are preconditions for Bosnia’s European integrations.

The new U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia confirmed that the United States will help Bosnia realize its goal – entering the EU and NATO. Mutual regret was expressed over the fact that the April package of constitutional changes was rejected. That package was supported by the United States.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – Representatives of the The European Commission (EC) Delegation to Bosnia donated yesterday in Sarajevo technical equipment to the Bosnian State Insurance Agency, worth about 150.000 Bosnian Marks.

The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive branch of the European Union. It operates in the method of cabinet government, with 27 "Commissioners", one for each country of the EU, led by a Commission President (currently José Manuel Barroso).

The Bosnian Insurance Agency Director Samir Omerhodzic thanked for the donation and added that the EC has earlier supported the insurance sector in BiH in various projects and that it has focused in the past few years on the reform processes in the sector.

"A project worth 250.000 EUR will end by the end of 2008 and another project, worth 800.000 Euros will ne implemented as well”, Omerhodzic said.

Bosnian insurance sector has been developing well. That was also confirmed yesterday at a publication presented which is related to the unified insurance market in Bosnia in 2008.

The data shows that the total insurance premium in late 2006 in Bosnia was 360,595,021 Bosnian Marks (184,462,911 EUR) that is, 7,9 per cent higher compared to 2005.

One of the Agency’s priorities is alignment of the entity regulations in the insurance sector, for it has often been the case that an insurance company is registered in only one Bosnia's entity and hence cannot work in another.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – The Bosnian Presidency members Haris silajdzic, Zeljko Komsic and Nebojsa Radmanovic met with the new US Ambassador to Bosnia Charles English.

English said that the United States are supportive of true democratic efforts, human rights and rule of rights of individuals around the world, especially in Bosnia.

”We will support you and your efforts that Europe is made Bosnia’s future and that the Bosnia's leaders should decide upon that future as soon as possible”, new US Ambassador to Bosnia said.

He added that the USA hopes that the situation in Bosnia will optimally stabilize and that Bosnia will make progress towards initialing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 11,2007) – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), with the headquarters of its General Secretariat in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, represents a new stage in the development of relations between countries in the region and the creation of a new image of Southeastern Europe, was stated yesterday at a ceremony marking the signing of Agreement on the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

Participants in the ceremony made this remark before the official start of work of the RCC and on the occasion of the declaration of Sarajevo as the host of the RCC Secretariat.

The RCC is a result of transformation of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe and will take over activities that have been implemented by that regional initiative so far.

Participants in the ceremony agreed that there is also a certain degree of symbolism in the fact that Sarajevo has been selected as the headquarters for the RCC Secretariat, as it was in the Bosnian capital that the Stability Pact for SE Europe was established in 1999.

They concluded that the RCC will represent a new boost to the development of good neighbourly relations between countries in the region, and help their internal reforms and efforts to move closer to Europe.

Hido Biscevic of Croatia has been appointed as the RCC General Secretary. He thinks that the work of the RCC will show maturity of the countries in the region, which are now taking full responsibility for their own affairs.

He said that the RCC will facilitate the achievement of the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of every individual country, full modernisation of the region in a material and spiritual sense and the achievement of a level that will ensure EU membership.

Mutual support and solidarity will be the main principles on which the work of the RCC will rest, all with the aim of accelerating the fulfilment of priorities and the resolution of all outstanding issues.

Bosnia's Prime minister Nikola Spiric thanked for the decision to appoint Sarajevo as the headquarters of the RCC.

He said that this is an important decision both for the international community and Bosnia and that it will be a great challenge and opportunity for our country to move from the bottom position in the process of European integration.

Spiric said that the united Europe will never achieve is full potential until all countries that are geographically a part of it become its integral part.

Stability Pact Special Coordinator Erhard Busek described the work of the Stability Pact during the previous years as positive and important for the stabilisation of the region and the development of cooperation. He added that the start of activities by the RCC represents a historic moment.

The Stability Pact was established here and is now returning home in a different shape, Busek said and expressed hope that the RCC will be a “successful story”.

He said that the RCC now represents the most important instrument for cooperation in Southeast Europe.

The process of fully establishing the RCC is almost at an end. It will be consisted of five departments which will cover the most important priorities in cooperation in the region of Southeastern Europe, including energy, social and security cooperation, judiciary and human resources.

The headquarters of the RCC Secretariat will be located in the Building of Bosnian-Greek Friendship in Sarajevo.